Lighthouse, Naples 1839

Curator: William James Müller painted "Lighthouse, Naples." Look closely at how the watercolor washes create a serene atmosphere. Editor: The composition leads the eye from the rough rocks in the foreground, up the stark lighthouse, to the distant city. It feels classically structured. But I wonder about Müller’s working conditions here. Curator: Indeed. Müller, who died young, traveled extensively. This piece speaks to the rise of tourism, and the burgeoning market for picturesque views that could be easily transported. Editor: Notice how Müller uses the materiality of the watercolor to evoke the hazy, humid air of Naples. The light is almost tangible, filtered through the pigments. Curator: Consider also how this image was made reproducible, destined for albums and portfolios, becoming a consumable token of the Grand Tour. It served a function within a specific social framework. Editor: I see. Still, the stark verticality of the lighthouse against the soft sky—that is purely formal brilliance. Curator: Perhaps. But understanding its commodification adds another layer to its meaning. Editor: Absolutely. It seems we both see the light, just from different directions.